Wayne T. Smith '68, president, chairman and CEO of Community Heath Systems Inc., is positioned to lead the country's largest publicly traded hospital company after a merger was announced between CHS and Triad Hospitals Inc.

The combined company would own or operate approximately 130 hospitals in 28 states, with a total bed count of more than 18,700.  The acquisition remains subject to certain closing conditions—including approval by Triad's stockholders, antitrust clearance and other regulatory approvals—and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2007.

"This is a strategic growth opportunity for CHS," Smith said.  "This deal will substantially increase CHS's overall scale and enhance its geographic diversity. The two companies have similar values, and we are excited about the 54 Triad hospitals and the addition of six new states to our portfolio. This acquisition compliments our rural strategy by adding mid-size markets in great locations, and we look forward to working with the talented and experienced management professionals throughout the Triad organization."

Smith, along with his wife Cheryl, is a 1968 graduate of the College of Education.  Mr. Smith also completed a master's in general education in 1969.  He has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare administration.  Before joining CHS in 1997, he was the chief operating officer of Humana Corporation, which honored his company service through establishing three titled professorships and an endowed undergraduate scholarship in the college.

In 2003, he was named the college's inaugural Keystone Leader-in-Residence—a program designed to honor Education alumni for significant contributions in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Currently, Mr. Smith chairs the college's "It Begins at Auburn" Campaign Committee.

Located in the Nashville, Tenn., suburb of Franklin, Community Health Systems is a leading operator of general acute care hospitals in non-urban communities throughout the country. Through its subsidiaries, the company currently owns, leases or operates 77 hospitals in 22 states. Its hospitals offer a broad range of inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical services. Shares in Community Health Systems Inc. are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CYH."